Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
